Apparatus for charging receptacles



March 2, 1937. c. A. HALLAM APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RECEPTACLES Original Filed Sept. 4, 1931 FIG.

INVENTOR HALLA M ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RECEPTACLES Original application September 4, 1931, Serial No. 561,141. Divided and this application October 12, 1932, Serial No. 637,452

3 Claims. (Cl. 207-1) This invention relates to an apparatus for charging receptacles and more particularly to an apparatus for automatically charging the cylinder of a cable sheathing press.

This invention is a division of my copending application Serial No. 561,141, filed September 4, 1931.

When forming a lead alloy sheathing about a cable, one practice, after the completion of the extrusion cycle, is to withdraw the cylinder completely from the ram before refilling the cylinder with fused alloy in preparation for the next extrusion cycle. The charge is sometimes introduced into the cylinder from a kettle or from a supply conduit leading from a reservoir of fused alloy.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a simplified and improved apparatus for expeditiously charging receptacles.

In order to attain these objects the charging material surrounds a closure member of a receptacle so that the material automatically flows into the receptacle when the member and the receptacle separate. Specifically the end of the ram of a cable sheath extruding press is maintained enveloped in a bath of molten lead alloy which is contained free from the atmosphere in a covered receptacle so that the cylinder is recharged due to the partial vacuum produced 30 therein and the force of gravity when the end of the ram separates from the head of the cylindex.

A complete understanding will appear in the following detailed description taken in conjunc- 35 tion with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a partial elevational view of a cable sheathing press embodying the invention and which may be used in practicing the improved method;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, an extruding press ID of the kind employed in cable sheathing comprises a cylinder H disposed upon a movable head l2 of the press and a ram t3 the end of 50 which passes down into the cylinder. The ram depends from a fixed head It which is supported by suitable columns IS.

A receptacle l6 contains the supply of fused alloy; and through a circular aperture H in the 55 bottom thereof the ram passes into an opening it of the cylinder. The receptacle is provided with a cover 19 to shield the molten alloy from the atmosphere, thereby retarding the tendency of the fused metal to oxidize. In addition the cover offers a readily accessible means to facilitate the removal of the dross which tends to accumulate on the surface of the molten alloy. The cover is suitably attached to the receptacle and is partially removed for the examination of the surface of the molten alloy and for the refilling of the receptacle. The cover is constructed so as to contain a circular aperture 20 which offers only suflicient clearance for the movement of the ram in the receptacle.

The circular aperture 11 is provided with a beveled edge 2i to facilitate the flow of fused alloy from the receptacle into the cylinder and the bottom of the receptacle has an integral annular base 22 for fastening it to the head of the cylinder. The annular base of the receptacle is provided with a plurality of openings 23 appropriately spaced so that they fit upon a plurality of cap screws 24 similarly placed on the head of the cylinder. After the openings 23 engage the cap screws a suitable pressure applied along the periphery of the receptacle causes the cap screws to look into the reduced portion of the openings. In order to prevent the fused alloy from escaping through the joint between the bottom of the receptacle and the head of the cylinder, an asbestos gasket 25 is employed. The receptacle is reinforced by members 26 welded to the outside thereof, and an additional support is supplied by a plurality of braces 21 appropriately distributed on the head of the cylinder so as to set under the members 26.

For the initial charge the cylinder is brought to a position wherein the ram is inserted to its maximum depth. The fused alloy is introduced into the receptacle through a suitable conduit leading from a melting furnace and is maintained in the molten state therein by any convenient heating means, not shown. It will be observed that the tight fitting cover is to remain on the receptacle at all times, except, of course, for the infrequent periods required for the inspection of the surface of the molten alloy for the possible formation of dros and for the refilling of the receptacle.

The reciprocation of the cylinder is caused by any suitable and usual means, not shown. As the head of the close-fitting cylinder separates from the end of the ram upon the descent of the cylinder, the fused alloy in the receptacle 'is drawn into the cylinder because of the partial vacuum created therein and by the action of gravity upon the heavy alloy. When the maximum point in the withdrawal of the cylinder is reached, the head of the ram is still well immersed in the fused alloy bath and the cylinder is charged. The charge within the cylinder as well as the portion in lower section of the ramp tacle, which is awaiting use for' subsequent charge is completely isolated from the atmosphere, and, simultaneously the fused alloy bath, which completely envelopes the ram-end, excludes air from entering into the cylinder. It

is to be observed that in this manner the interior" of the cylinder is isolated from the atmosphere thereby aifording the best condition for the manufacture of an alloy sheating with a smooth surface. Under the aforementioned isolation of the charge within the cylinder from air, the conditions for manufacturing are further improved due to the retardation of the tendency of the alloy to oxidize as it is introduced into the cylinder, the exclusion from the cylinder of the dross which tends to form on the alloy bath, and the elimination of the tendency toward the formation of blisters in the sheathing surface because of the incomplete removal of air from the cylinder. As the extrusion cycle is repeated the consumed alloy of the receptacle is replaced with a fresh supply through a conduit leading from a reservoir of the molten material so that the head of the fused alloy bath contained in the receptacle is maintained at a level which allows the operation heretofore described.

This apparatus substantially expedites the charging of the cylinder since the automatic.

charging thereof eliminates the period of time which was formerly consumed by the manual charging operation. It will be observed that the supply of molten alloy can be introduced into the receptacle without any loss of time since the refilling operation can be accomplished while the charge in the cylinder is held for partial solidification preparatory to the reciprocation of the cylinder. Additionalimprovements in the conditions for the manufacturing of protective sheathing for electrical cables are provided in the means for controlling the-quantity of: air in the cylinder and the tendency of the fused charge therein to oxidize whereby the imperfections of blisters and cavities inv the surface of the sheathing are eliminated.

While details of the construction of the apparatus have been given for the purpose of fully explaining the invention, it is obvious that these can be modified in various respects without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for charging an extrusion press cylinder having a cooperating ram normally retirable from the cylinder to permit charging of the same through the ram entrance aperture thereof, a receptacle for a bath of fused material supported upon the cylinder and having an aperture in the bottom thereof provided with a beveled edge for providing an entrance into the cylinder and aligned with the ram entrance aperture of the cylinder, and a cover for the receptacle to exclude the atmosphere therefrom.

2. In an apparatus for charging an extrusion press cylinder having a cooperating ram normal-- ly completely withdrawable from the cylinder to permit charging of the same through the ram entrance aperture thereof, a receptacle mounted on the cylinder for containing a bath of fused alloy of sufficient quantity to continually surround the working end of the ram during the entire period of withdrawal of the ram from the cylinder, and a cover for the receptacle, apertures being provided both in the cover and in the bottom of the receptacle in alignment with the ram entrance aperture of the cylinder for the passage of the ram therethrough.

3. A vertical extrusion press for metals comprising a container into which molten metal is charged at the upper end, the side walls of the container being in contact with the atmosphere, a ram in said container, means for producing relative vertical movement between said container and said ram to extrude metal and withdraw for charging, and a sealing and feeding vessel surrounding the ram and mounted on the upper end of the container, the lower portion of the vessel communicating with the space occupied by the working charge in the container.

CECIL A. HALLAM. 

